Challenging the victim/perpetrator binary. Taking on questions of feminism(s) and queer politics. Fighting against the criminalisation of sex work, sex workers, and their clients. Putting on a ﻿great show﻿. These are some of the things that Sex Worker Open University did today with their fantastic film festival. Bravo to the film-makers, performance artists, coordinators and all those involved with the event!

It was difficult to avoid being struck by the key ﻿messages﻿ put forward by the organisations and individuals represented; namely that sex work is work; that sex workers' rights are human rights; and that full decriminalisation of sex work is non-negotiable. I'm sure that everyone in the audience left with an even clearer view of why organisations like the Sex Worker Open University need to exist, and an even greater desire to support the movement.What I also found remarkable was the real, meaningful cooperation between people, groups and politics that have sometimes seemed divergent. Sex workers, feminists, queer-identified people, people of colour, LGB people, migrants, trans* people, anarchists, unionists, the list goes on (all of these overlapping to some degree, of course.) There are so many groups and individuals whose interests aren't always well-served by the state, and a real cross-section seemed to converge today in support of a common initiative.

Ultimately, what really seemed clear was that people actually 'got' how the quest for sex workers' rights is inextricably bound up with those of other marginalised groups - and vice-versa. Non-conformity to the norms/ideals/prevalent morals of society does not make me, you, or anyone else any less human; does not automatically invalidate our choices or identities; and does not justify discrimination or violence against us. It's in everyone's interest to make this point widely understood and help each other out on the way. We all have a vested interest in sharing the messages put forward today - and we'll be heard more loudly and more clearly if we shout together.